Roos Earn Chance to Defend Their Title

The Queanbeyan Kangaroos have secured yet another grand final appearance and the chance to defend their title after demolishing the Tuggeranong Bushrangers 46 – 24 at Gungahlin Sunday afternoon.

Despite a second-half comeback attempt from Tuggeranong, the Roos controlled the game, holding the Bushrangers scoreless in the first half and crossing for six consecutive tries to secure a dominant win.

It was the Roos who opened the scoring after an intercept set them up on the 50-metre line. They pushed down the field with Adam Quinlan weaving through multiple defenders to score the first points of the day. A successful conversion gave them an early 6 - nil lead.

The Bushrangers had multiple attempts at reaching the line, when an offside call handed them a further six tackles but were again stopped just short.

Queanbeyan quickly regained possession with Kaine Pagura masterfully navigating multiple Tuggeranong players to plant the ball just shy of the post. Lucas Thomson kicked the conversion with ease to put them ahead 12 – nil.

Tuggeranong looked set to go an offensive run, but an intercept by Jake Kiley saw him run 50 metres to set up Queanbeyan once again. The Roos entered the red zone, where a quick offload allowed Jesse Dent to crash over and add another six points.

With only ten minutes left in the half and a major deficit to overcome, the Bushrangers fought hard to get on the board, but it was the Roos again through Thomas who found the right edge to score Queanbeyan’s fourth try of the match.

They weren’t finished, when another intercept by Kiley set Queanbeyan up in their 20, where Sam Williams, powered along the left edge to plant the ball. A missed conversion left the score at 26 - nil as both sides entered the sheds at halftime.

The second half began with the Roos extending their lead when Quinlan struck again to bag his second of the day.

The Roos continued to dominate when a penalty set them up 25 metres from the line. Some quick hands from the Queanbeyan side saw Josh Ayers cross for another four points, with Thomson nailing the conversion to increase their lead to 38 – nil.

Luck stayed with the Roos, as an offside penalty gave them valuable field position. The Bushrangers finally had a chance after a strong hit up forced a turnover, but the set ended still 30 metres from Tuggeranong’s line.

The Bushrangers eventually got on the scoreboard when Eddie Tiaina crossed for a try, with a successful conversion bringing the score to 38–6.

Moments later a penalty kick by the Roos brought them to the red zone where Quinlan crossed for his third try, with 22 minutes still on the clock.

Not going down without a fight, the Bushrangers got their second of the day with Josh Eppelstun powering through to score a four pointer.

The Bushrangers continued their attacking run when Alexander- McCarthy sprinted down the field, setting up Lachlan Cunanan to ram across the line. McCarthy sliced the ball through the posts to narrow the score 44 – 18.

With only six minutes left and a grand final spot on the line, Tuggeranong fought hard to stay in the game. Tiaina almost fumbled the ball on the left edge but was able to regain the ball to score his second of the day. McCarthy easily added the extras to make it 44 - 24.

In the final moments of the match, the Roos were awarded a penalty kick, Thomson calmly slotted the kick, to wrap up the score at 46–24 and a grand final berth.

The Roos will now face their previous grand final opponents, the Queanbeyan Blues, as they aim to defend their title next weekend.